Air conditioning device



July 23, 1940. E. P. GAlNES AIR CONDITIONING DEVICE Filed Oct. 14, 1956 4 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR.

9T Jo EDMUND P. Gqmis BY I ATTORNEY.

July 23, 1940. E. P. GAINES 2,209,263

AIR coumnoume DEVICE Filed Oct. 14, 1936 4 Sheets-Shet 2 4/ m 59 4934 [89 187a I97 I93 INVENTOR.

Ebnuno P. Games A TTORNEY- y 23, 1940 'E. P. GAINES 2,209,263

AIR CONDITIONING DEVICE Filed Oct. 14, 1936 4 Shets-Sheec 3 INVENTOR. 8 EDMUND P. Games ATTORNEY Patented July 23, 1940 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE AIR OONDITIONING DEVICE Edmund P. Gaines, Columbia, 8. 0.

Application October 14, 1936, Serial No. 105,540

16 Claims. (Cl. 257-4) This application is in part a continuation of 88rd to the actual requirements of the occupants my copending application Serial Number 534,601 of the room. This method is annoying and in filed May 2, 1931. enclosures artificially cooled or heated, is exp This invention relates to automatic means for sive. 5 controlling the ventilation, pressure, temperature, In some cases it may be desirable th t t l moisture, and oxygen content of the air in buildoxygen content of the air within an enclosure be ings and enclosed spaces. greater than normal. A means for effecting this The main constituents of air are nitrogen and result automatically is disclosed herein. oxygen in mechanical mixture. The approximate It further appears that living and working proportions are 79% nitrogen and 21% oxygen. quarters wouldbemore healthful and comfortable "I For some purposes, oxygen is the most important. if the barometric pressure of the atmosphere were For instance, oxygen is necessary for supporting' held constant. A means whereby this result may animal life and for supporting ordinary combusbe achieved automatically is likewise disclosed tion. Nitrogen is inert and does not combine herein.

mechanically with other elements when breathed From the foregoing it appears highly desirable II or when under combustion. Oxygen is, of course, to control automatically the oxygen content in th necessary to support human life. It is necessary, air used for breathing in fully enclosed spaces. therefore, that in rooms occupied by human be- Furthermore it may be desirable at times to supings, there always be an ample supply of oxygen. ply automatically, additional oxygen to these en- Because of heating and cooling conditions it is closures and to regulate automatically, thebaro- :0 often uneconomical to pass a continuous draught metric pressure thereof. It is proposed by the of fresh air through the rooms. Consequently, a devices disclosed herein to regulate automatically, large part of the oxygen is soon consumed and as the ventilation of enclosed spaces, to provide the proportion of oxygen in the air is reduced the automatic means for supplying the desired p 5 room becomes unhealthy to live in. The reason centage of additional oxygen and to provide for ,5 for this unhealthful condition of the air is due regulating the barometric pressures within said largely to the increase of the carbon dioxide conenclosures. It should be understood however, tent and to the decrease of the oxygen content. that the devices for supplying additional oxygen Statistics show the following approximate perand for controlling the barometric pressure withcentages between inspired pure air and the mixin the enclosures may be made inoperative with-- 30 ture which is expired: out in any way affecting the device for regulating the ventilation.

N o 00, Total As heretofore stated, oxygen is necessary for supporting animal life. It is also necessary for 04 100 supporting combustion. This latter fact is utiu 38 -lized for controlling automatically the ventilation of enclosures, in accordance with the require- From these figures, it is eadily seen that in air ments of the occupants thereof. Carbon dioxide which has been inspired and expi ed only O ce the is about one and one half times heavier than air o yge dec a approximately and t e c and consequently settles, and it does not support bon dioxide increases by ab ut ce combustion. The larger the proportion of oxygen air containing over 4% carbon dioxide becomes and the lower the proportion of carbon dioxide, dangerous t0 breathe, it is manifest that in living the brighter and hgtter a flame will be A flame quar ers it m s be changed often- The rate of thus may be utilized to determine and control the change necessary depends upon the number of amount of oxygen 1;

people or animals within the enclosure, the1r lung Objects of thi i tio r therefore t regucapacities, and the kind of work they are do glate automatically the amount of fresh air ad- For average ventilation of a room 8x12xl2 feet mitted to a complete enclosure and to regulate occupied by one adult a comp et nge of air is automatically the amount of stale air and gas required about every four hours. However, if two exhausted therefrom.

persons are in the room, the air should be changed A further object is to supply automatically any completely every two hours and if the room is desired percentage of additional oxygen to the occupied by four persons the change should be fresh air admitted to the enclosure. made at hourly intervals. Heretofore, ventilation A further object of the inv is to Provide a has been accomplished manually with little redevice operating to Supp rich n oxygen to u I d 79 20.96 0. figir'fid 79 16. 2 4.

the interior of a building; to provide means to regulate automatically the amount .of air, especially air rich in oxygen admitted to the building; and to control automatically the amount of used air and gas elected from the building.

therein.

Further objects will be apparent from a reading of the subjoined specification and claims and from a consideration of the accompanying drawings.

In order to explain the invention more clearly, several embodiments thereof are shown in said drawings, in which:

'lFigure 1 is a .view in elevation of a house having a part of one wall broken away to show a part of the interior of the building which isequipped with my novel automatic ventilating system;

Figure 2 is a diagrammatic view showingthe controls of Figure l and-showing especiallythe electric circuits thereof; I

Figure 3 is a diagrammatic view showing a detail of one unit of Figures 1 and 2;

Figure 4 is a diagrammatic view showing a. modified form of control which may be used instead of a portion of. Figures 1 and 2;

Figure 5 is a view similar to Figure 1 showing an alternate arrangement; 7 a

Figure 6 is a diagrammatic view showing the controls'and electric circuits of Figure 5;

Figure 7 is a sectional view of a portion of a house illustrating a furtherv modified arrangement; v

Figure 8 is a diagrammatic view showing the controls and electric circuits of Figure 7;

Figure 9 is a sectional view similar to Figure 7 showing a further modified arrangement; 1

Figure 10 is a diagrammatic view showing the controls and electric circuits of Figure 9; and

Figures 11 and 12 .are fragmentary views of a detail of Figures 5 and 6.

' In general, the embodiments illustrated each disclose an enclosure and within the enclosure (a) a flame which burns brightly when the content of the air within said enclosure is relatively high in oxygen and low in carbon dioxide and which burns dimly when the air is low in oxygen content or high in carbon dioxide; (b) a thermostat which is'in some instances a bimetallic bar, located above so as to be heated by the flame, the bar making certain electrical contacts at different temperatures as determined by the heat of the'flame; (c) a blower for forcing fresh air into the enclosure; (d) means for exhausting stale air and. undesirable gases from the enclosure, both the blower and the exhausting means being actuated by electric motors controlled by electrical contacts made by the thermostat; (c) in some instances an aneroid barometer; and (f) in some instances a governor for opening an oxygen valve. 1

Referring particularly to the drawings, in Figure 1, I have shown abuilding equipped with one form of novel device for automatically controlling the ventilation thereof. The building as a whole is designated by the numeral l5 and has a basement or air conditioning room 12. The building also has an automatically ventilated living compartment designated 14. Positioned in the basement I2 is an electric motor 29 which fresh air.

drives my improved blower or blower-separator I. The blower-separator i has an intake opening 0 extending without the building so as to draw in A conduit 9 leads air from blower I through a cooling compartment 44.

Anoutlet II for dust, moisture, etc.. extends downward outside of the building. The air from the cooling compartment 44 passes upward through a stack 45 into the living compartments ll of the building I, and thus clean cooled air rich in oxygen is supplied to the building. The air after being. used within the building may pass out through an opening controlled by a counterbalanced vexhaust door 28 (in the upper right hand corner of Figure 1).

I provide means for automatically controlling the amount of air rich in oxygen which is supplied to the room and the amount of used air which is exhausted therefrom. I position a burner l6 (Figure 2) having a flame l9 near the top of the building within a box l1 (Figures 1 and 2) and provide adjacent thereto and above said burner a chimney l8 to .carry off all the fumes from the burner. I have shown a gas burner, but any type of flame depending upon oxygen for combustion may be used. It is clear that the brilliance and heat of the flame will depend upon the amount of oxygen supplied thereto. When the building is filled with air rich in oxygen, the flame will be relatively high and when the building is filled with air poor in oxygen or .with air composed largely of carbon dioxide, the flame will be relatively low. Mounted above the burner I6 is a composite bimetallic bar -2l firmly secured at one end but free at the other. The bar is composed of a strip 20 which is ofmetal of high specific expansion and a strip 2| which is of a metal of low specific expansion- Beneath the free end of the bar 20-2| is an electrical contact point 22 on which the bar 20-2l at times rests and to which is attached an electric wire 23 leading to the motor 29. Electrical current is supplied from any suitable source from which an electric wire 2 leads to the secured end of the bimetallic bar 20-2l. Another wire 2 leads from the source to the electric motor 29. The electric motor 29 drives the air blower-separator I by means of a shaft 30. Attached to the free end of the bimetallic bar 2|l2| is a cord 26 which passes upward over a pulley 21 and at its opposite end is connected to the door or gate 28. The door 28 iscounterbalanced so that it is easily turned but so that upon release it will close itself. It may thus be seen that when the gasburner (on account of a large supply of oxygen thereto) is burning brightly, the heat therefrom will cause the bimetallic bar 20-2l to curve upward and break the electrical circuit by the movement of :the end of the bar away from the contact point 22. This will shut off the electric motor 29 and therefore will stop the blower-separator l and the supply of resh air rich in oxygen to the room. At the same time it will release the cord 26 and close the door 28 to prevent the egress. of air from the room. However, as .soon as the air in the room becomes lean or poor in oxygen the flame of the gas burner will decrease in size, the heat will decrease and the bimetallic bar will return to its straight form in .which the end thereof will contact with the contact point 22 and complete the circuit. The completion of the circuit will energize the motor 29 and cause fresh air rich in oxygen to be drawn in by the blower '(if desirable) be rendered inoperative even while the air blower is being operated. The shaft 39 is continued through the opposite (left hand as shown) side of the electric motor 29 and is at times connected by means of a clutch 32 with a compressor unit of a compressor-evaporator system of cooling. As stated, the compressor is shown at 40 and is connected by a conduit 42' with a condenser 42. The exhaust pipe 43' of the condenser is connected with an evaporator 43 and the exhaust from the evapoiiator 43 is conducted by a conduit 40' with the compressor 40. The air coming in through the conduit 3 is cooled by the coils of the evaporator 43 located in the cooling compartment 44.

I provide a thermostatically controlled device for making the clutch 32 operative or inoperative depending upon the temperature of the air in the building. A thermostat 39 formed of a curved bimetallic strip 39 is provided with a contact leaf 41 adapted at times to touch an adjustable contact screw 48 and at other times to touch an adjustable contact screw 49. These contacts thus depend on the temperature of the room and the resultant curvature of the bimetallic thermostatic The'fixed end of the curved thermoanother electric wire 38"- leads from the auxiliary motor 31 (Figure 3) to the source from which electricity is thus at times supplied tq said auxiliary motor. Another Wire 38 leads from said source to a switch 63. The switch is provided with two resiliently controlled leaves 63$;and 63 The leaf 63 is at times adapted to toucgi an electric contact 65 and the leaf 53 is at tim '5 adapted to touch an electric contact 66. The fcontact 65 is connected by an electric wire 38 with the contact screw 48 and the contact 66 is connected by an electric wire 38 with the contact screw 49. The shaft of the auxiliary electric motor 31 isadapted to drive a lever 36 through gears in gear box 6|. The lever 35 by means of a flexible connection 35 is adapted to move the lever 33 against the spring 34 to cause the clutch 32 to be disengaged or to allow the spring 34 to move the lever 33 to engage the clutch 32. As shown in Figure 1, the clutch is held engaged by the spring 34. The auxiliary motor 31 also'through gear box 6| drives a cam 62 (Figure 3) which is adapted alternately to break the electrical circuits which include the wires 38 and 38*, respectively. Thus,

fresh air.

gen. Tiji'erein, the electric current flows through the electric wire 24 to a contact element 22 thence through a switch bar 2| and an electric wire 23*lto energize the motor in a manner similar to the manner disclosed in Figure 2. The switch bar 2| is normally held in-contact with the contact element 22 by a spring 60 but is at times adapted to be moved away therefrom by means of an electric magnet 59 receiving current through a circuit which passes through a resistance bar 20. This resistance bar is of a material such that when cold, the resistance to the passage of electrical current is so great that the electric magnet 59 will not be energized but which, when heated by a flame I9 of a burner I6 will allow the passage of sufllcient current to energize the magnet 59 and attract the end of the switch bar 2|. The bar 2| may be of an alloy of copper, manganese, and nickel or an alloy of copper and nickel, but is preferably of carbon. The flame I95 of the burner Hi is brilliant or low, depending upon the amount of oxygen supplied thereto. The exhaust fumes from the burner may pass out through the chimney l8 which extends outside of the building. The switch bar 2 I also has connected thereto a cord 26 which passes upward over a pulley 21 and thence to an exhaust door 28 by which the air may be exhausted from the building. It may thus be seen that the supply of oxygen in the building governs the size and intensity of the flame l9 and thus controls the amount of electricity flowing through the resistance 20. When the air supplied is rich in oxygen content, the flame will be higher, the resistancewill be lower and the electricity in the circuit will be stronger, causing the magnet 59 to be energized and the switch bar 2 rotated against the pull of the spring 60 to break the circuit formed by wires 23 and 24 and stop the operation of the motor 29 and stop the supply of The movement of the switch bar 2| also operates the gate 28 to close the opening adjacent thereto and prevent the exhaust of air from the building.

The operation of the blower-separator I itself is as follows: The rotor blower I is rotated by the shaft 30 at a high rate of speed. Air is drawn in through the intake 6 and is thrown radially outward by the rotor blades. The centrifugal force of the rapidly rotating air throws the heavier foreign matter to the outer walls where it is caught by the' trap formed by the outlet" 13.

When my blower-separator is used in a building, it may, as shown operatein combination with automatic controls for maintaining a substantially constant content of oxygenin the building rated therefrom and discharged through the outlet tube l3. Air rich in oxygen is supplied whenever the leaf 41 moves into a contact with/ 1 through the tube 3 to the cooling compartment 44.

either of the contact screws 48 or 49 an electric circuit is formed through the motor 31 so that the motor operates until the lever 36 is moved through 180. Thereupon, the cam 62 (which has simultaneously been moved 180) breaks the circuit. The circuits remain broken and the auxiliary motor remains inoperative until the leaf 41 is moved to the other screw whereupon the operation is repeated.

In Figure 4 I have shown an alternative method of automatically controlling the operation of the air blower I so that the building is always sup-.

plied with an adequate supply of air rich in oxy- Dependent upon whether the temperature in the building is above or below that desired, the air will be cooled or allowed to pass into the building at the initial temperature.

So long as the content of oxygen in the room is if necessary and then to deliver it to the main part of the building. As soon, however, as the oxygen content becomes above that desired, the-flame I9 increases in size and intensity and the bimetallic bar 29-2I curves, thus breaking the circuit and stopping the motor 29. At the same time the curving of the thermostat element 2Il-2I re leases the cord 29 and allows the door 28 to close the exhaust opening. The fumes from the burner continuously escape through the chimney I8.

sistance to allow the passage of sumcient current through t; circuit to energize the magnet 59 and retract the switch bar 2I to break the main circuit and cause the motor 29 to stop. At the same time this movement of the switch bar 2I .releases the cable 29 and allows the door 28 to close to prevent the escape of air from the building.

Responsive to the temperature in the building, the leaf 41 will normally be in contact with one or the other of the contact screws 49 or 49 and will control the clutch 32. If the temperature in the room is above normal the clutch will be engaged so that the cooling apparatus will be operating whenever the blower is operating. Ifthe temperature in the room is too low or is at the proper temperature the clutch 32 will be disengaged and the air entering into the cooling compartment 44 will pass without substantial change in temperature upward through the tube 45, into the main portion of the building. As shown in Figures 2 and 3 the temperature of the building is above the desired temperature and the thermostat 39 holds the leaf 41 in contact with the screw 49. By reason of the electrical circuit, this has caused the auxiliary motor 31 to move the clutch to a position in which it is engaged and the air which goes into the cooling compartment 44 is cooled by the compressor-evaporator apparatus 4243. After being cooled, the air passes up through the stack into the main portion of the buildingas before described. When the temperature drops to the desired temperature the thermostat 39 will cause the leaf 41 to move slowly across intocontact with the screw 49. As shown most clearly in Figure ,3 this will complete a circuit from the source of electrical current supply through the electric wire 38, the switch 63, the contact 95, the electric wire 38, the contact screw 48, the leaf 41, the thermostat element 39, the electric wire 39, the auxiliary motor 31 and the electric wire 39. This will cause the auxiliary motor 31 to revolve and in revolving it will move the lever 36 to draw the connection 35 and thus turn the lever 33 on its axis and disengage the clutch 32. The motor at the same time turns the cam 62. When the motor has turned the lever 35 through 180 so that the clutch becomes wholly disengaged the cam will also be turned through 180 and pressing against the leaf 63 will disconnect the leaf from the electric contact 65 andthus break the circuit and stop the motor. The motor will remain at rest until the leaf, 41 is moved, by reason of a rise in temperature to contact again with the screw 49 when a similar sequence of events will cause a circuit to be formed through the wire 38, the leaf 63,

the contact 99, the wire 38, the contact screw 49, the leaf 41, the thermostat 39, the wire 39, the

auxiliary motor 91, and the wire 99". This circuit will energize the auxiliary motbr' to turn the lever 39 and the cam 92 through another 180 to allow the spring 34 to engage the clutch 32 and at the same time again break the circuit. -Thereupon the auxiliary motor 31 wlllremain at rest until the leaf 41 moves again and if the motor 29 is operative, its operation will cause the blower I to function and at the same time cause the cooling apparatus to be operative until the temperature drops to that desired. However, regardless of the temperature of the room, until the motor 29 and blower I are made active, the cooler 44 is inoperative.

In Figures 5 and 6 I have shown a somewhat similar arrangement in which there is provided in addition, means for heating the, air when necessary and also means for controlling the amount of moisture present. The building I I5 has an air conditioning room I12 and an automatically ventilated living compartment I14. The air conditioning room I12 has an electric motor I29 driving a vblower-separator IIII having an intake opening I06 and a conduit I93 for conducting air from blower I 9| through a cooling compartment I44. The air passes thence through conduit I15 to a heating device I16, thence upward through conduit I19 to drying and humidifying device I99, and thence through conduit I45 to the living compartment I14, thus supplying fresh air to the building. The air after being used within the building may pass out byway of well I82 and through an opening controlled by exhaust valve I95.

I provide means for automatically controlling the amount of fresh air which is supplied to the enclosure and-the amount of used air which is exhausted therefrom. I position an oxygen control means I I1 near the bottom of the well I82, the oxygen control means II1 including a burner II 6 (Figure 6). I have shown a gas burner but any type of flame depending upon oxygen may be used or guarded flame combustion such as discovered by Davy may be employed. It is clear that the brilliance and heat of the flame, as depicted, will depend upon the amount of oxygen supplied thereto. When the well I92 is filled with fresh air-the flame will be relatively high and when the well is filled with air poor in oxygen or with air composed largely of carbon dioxide, the flame will be relatively low. It is also apparent that since carbon dioxide is about one and one half times heavier than air, that it will gravitate to the bottom of the well and will thus accentuate the action of the flame. the burner I6 is a composite bimetallic bar I2llI2I firmly secured at one end but free at the other. The bar is composed of a strip I20 which is of metal of high specific expansion and.

a strip I2I which is of metal of'low specific expansion. Beneath the free end of the bar I 2ll-I2I is an electrical contact point I22 which the bar I20-I2I at times rests and to which is attached an electric wire I23I23= leading to the electric motor I29. Electric current is supplied from any suitable source from which an electric wire I24 leads to the bimetallic bar I29--I2I. Another wire I24 leads from the source of current to the electric motor I29. The electric motor I29 drives the blower IIII through a plurality of speed multiplication gears, not shown. When bimetallic bar I,20-I2I is resting on contact I22, the circuit is complete and electric motor I29 Mounted above drives blower IOI forcing fresh air into the enclosure. Situated above bimetallic bar I20--I2I is electrical contact screw I86 with which bar I20I2 I makes contact when heated by the flame. Connected with screw I86 is electric wire I88 which leads to electric contact I90. From contact I22 the electric wire I23 leads through another wire. I92 to another electric contact I94. Electric wire I96 connects the wire I24 to an electric motor I98, which is connected by'a wire I8I with a switch I02. A small cam I1I driven by a shaft I13 driven in torn by reduction gears of motor I98 alternately bears on breaker arms I11 and I19 which form a part of switch I02 and which therefore are connected by the electric wire I8I to the motor I98. Alarge cam I83 also driven by shaft I13 opens exhaust valve I85. When cam I83 is-rotated 180 from the position illustrated, valve I85 is closed by compression spring I04. When the oxygen content of the air in well I82 is low or the carbon dioxide content therein is high (note that the carbon dioxide will settle into well I82 through grate I84) flame II6 burns feebly and bimetallic bar I20-I2I is cool and straight making contact with contact I22. In this condition, the electric circuit to motor I29 is complete, the motor runs, and a blower IOI forces fresh air into the enclosure through conduit I03, cooler I44, conduit I15, heater I16, conduit I18, cleaner and humidifier I80, and conduit I45. At this time the electric circuit formed by wire I24, bar I28I2I, conduit I22, wires I23-I,92, contact I94, breaker arm I11, and wire I8I is broken at contact I94. Therefore motor I98 is stopped in the position shown, valve I85 remains open, and the used air and undesirable gases are forced out from the enclosure. As soon as the inrush of fresh air has caused the flame of the burner II6 to grow bright and hot, bimetallic bar I20-I2I assumes an upwardly curved position and breaks the contact with post I22. This shuts off motor I29.- In the upwardly curved position, bimetallic bar I20--I2I contacts screw I86. An electric circuit formed by wire I24, bar I20-I2I, contact I86, wire I88, contact I90, breaker arm I19, wire I8I, motor I98, and wires I96 and I24 is now complete and motor I98 will run until cam I1I rotates 180 and opens the contact between breaker arm I19 and contact I90, whereupon motor I98 stops. At the same time cam I83 has likewise rotated 180 allowing valve I85 to close. This completes the cycle whereby fresh air is substituted for the stale used air and objectionable gases within the enclosure. The cooler I44 and the heater I16 are controlled by thermostats I81 and I89 respectively. Whenever the temperature is too high the thermostat I81 closes the switch I9I and. thus completes a circuit through wire I24, wire I9I switch I9I, thermostat I81, wire I81, motor I98, wire I93, wire I93, wire I93 and wire I24, thus energizing the motor I93 to drive the compressor evaporator unit. Whenever the temperature is too low, the thermostat I89 closes the switch I95 and completes an electric circuit through the wire I24, wire I95, wire I91, contact I95, thermostat I89,. wire I89, motor I91, wire I91, wire I93 wire I93 and wire I24, thus energizing the motor I91 to drive the blower of the oil burner of the heater unit The unit I80 for controlling the moisture content includes two separate compartments I and I01 separated by a partition I4I In the compartment I05, there is positioned the spray valve I08 and in the compartment I01 is positioned the drier. The unit is controlled by a movable switch element I I0 responsive to moisture content of the air. When the air is too dry the element IIO swings to the position shown to touch the contacts III and H2. When the moisture content is correct the element I I0 swings to touch the contact H4 and when the moisture content is too high the element IIO swings to touch a contact I21. The element III! is connected by a wire IIII with the wire I24 and thus with the source of electric current. A gate element MI is pivoted on a shaft I4I whichhas a lever MI. The lever I4I moves in unison with gate I and carries connected contacts HI and I4I of which the first is arranged to touch a contact I and the second with either contact I4I or I4I'. When the gate MI is in position to cause the air to pass through spray compartment I05 (as shown), if

. the moisture content is correct, an electric cirsition the contact element I4I will move awayv from contact I and break the circuit. The entrance to the drying compartment I01 is so formed that with the gatein the neutral position, the air still cannot enter the drying compartment and is compelled to pass through the moisture compartment, but there will be no excess moisture absorbed by the air, because the spray will then be inactive. Similarly when the gate MI is in position to cause the air to pass through the drying compartment I01, if the moisture content is correct, an electric circuit may be formed as follows: wire I24, wire I 93, wire H0 moisture control switch I I0, contact 4, wire II4, contact Ill, contact I4I, contact "I", contact I4I, wire IIZ wire H2 motor I3I, wire I25, and wire I24 I counterclockwise to a neutral position. When the gate reaches the neutral position the contact element I will move away from contc'at I and break the circuit. Thus the gate I will always be moved back to neutral position after the moisture content has been corrected.

If with the gate I in neutral position, the air becomes too dry, the moisture control switch element III! is caused to move counterclockwise to the position shown. This forms an electric circuit as follows: wire I24, wire I93, wire H0, switch IIO, contact III, wire III, solenoid I08, wire I, wire I25 and wire I24. The solenoid I08 opens the water spray valve and thus increases the moisture content of the air being supplied to the living compartment. A second electric circuit is also formed as follows: wire I24, wire I93, wire H0, switch IIO, contact II2, wire 2*, contact IIZ contact II2, wire 2 motor I3I, wire I25 and wire I24 This causes the motor I3I to rotate the gate I4I counterclockwise to the position shown whereupon the contact between I I2 and I I2 will be broken'and the motor will stop. Thus air coming through the conduit I18 will be directed to the left through the spray compartment and additional moisture will be supplied to it. v

If with the gate I4I in neutral position, the air becomes too moist, the moisture control switch element is thereby caused to move clockwise to form a contact I21. An electric circuit is thus formed as follows: wire I24, wire I98, wire H0".

This causes the motor 3I to rotate the gate the air.

switch 0, contact I21, wire I21, contact I21, contact l21, wire |21,motor l3l, wire l25 and wire I24. This causes the motor l3l to rotate the gate I4l clockwise until the contact between I21 and I21 will be broken and the motor will stop. Thereupon air coming through the conduit I 10 will be diverted to the right through the drying compartment I01 and excess moisture will be removed therefrom. Drying compartment I01 contains a chemical such as calcium chloride (table; salt), calcium oxide (unslaked lime) sodium sulphate. calcium sulphate, sulphuric acid, or glycerine which will absorb moisture from Obviously, it will be necessary to replace this chemical at intervals. 1

Not only is it desirable that the air of inhabited enclosures be controlled so as to maintain proper oxygen content, moisture content and temperature, but also it is desirable to control the density or pressure. To this end, the arrangements of Figures 7 to 10 inclusive are shown. In Figures 7 and 8 I have indicated parts which are similar to the parts of Figures 5 and 6 by the same numerals with the addition of 100. There is also provided a barometer 246 comprising a sealed container 246 arranged to expand when the pressure in the room drops too low and thus operating to move a contact element 246 to touch an adjustable contact screw' 246. screw 246 is connected by a wire 246 with wire 224 and the contact 246 is connected by a wire 246 with wires 223 and 223. The wire 223 is connectedto a contact 250; which a contact .element 250 on the end of the thermostat element 220--22| at times touches. The element 220/ 22l also has a contact 222 which the element 2&2 is arranged 'totouch and the latter is connected by a wire 222 with the 'contact 294..

Thus when the thermostat element is in the position shown by reason of the flame being low because the oxygen content is too small, the motor 229 will be operated to draw in fresh air and the gate284 will be opened to letout used air.

If, however, the oxygen content is satisfactory the contacts 222, 222 and 250250 will be broken and the contact 222 -206 will be made. This will cause the gate to .be closed. If, with the gate closed, the pressure is too low, the contact 246-- 246 will be closed and the motor 229 will operate the blower l to force in additional air to raise the pressure.

The following points are to be observed:

a. Whenever the atmospheric pressure within the enclosure drops from any cause such as seepage through the walls or loss of air through opening and closing of the doors to compartment 214,

aneroid barometer 246 will make contact with a screw 245 and the pressure will again be brought up to the density desired.

b. When the air' is being changed and valve 234 is open, the atmospheric pressure within compartment 214 will be the same as that outside. However, since in normal living compartments the periods when the air is being changed will be relatively short, the higher desired pressure will be maintained most of the time.

c. when it is not desired to maintain a higher barometric pressure within compartment 214 than without, aneroid 246 can be made inoperative by adjusting screw 246 to such a position that contact will not be made.

As shown in Figure '7, there is provided a valve l in the conduit 253 held closed bya spring 25 except when the blower 20! is being operated. This valve prevents the escape of air back- The ward through the blower even when the blower is not being operated.

I provide additional means to add oxygen to the air to raise the oxygen content, when desired. As shown in Figure 7, I have provided an oxygen tank 252 arranged tosupply pure oxygen past a valve 253 and through a pipe 254 to the conduit 245. The valve 253 is controlled by a governor 255 driven by the motor 229. Thus whenever the motor 229 drives the blower 20l the governor 255 holds open the valve 253 to supply additional oxygen to the air stream. Otherwise the valve 253'prevents the escape of oxygen. When shaft 230' is rotated at high speed,

governor weights 230 hinged thereto in the usual manner, ,spread causing links 230 to assume an I amount of oxygen delivered is controlled by ad- Justing valve 252. vWhen motor 229 stops, governor weights 230 rise allowing valve 253 to be closed by the compression spring. It is readily seen that when motor 229 is running, forcing fresh air into compartment 214, that oxygen will be automatically supplied by the, means described and that when motor 229 stops, the flow of oxygen will stop. If additional oxygen is not desired in compartment 214, it can be eliminated by closing valve 252 or by removing the apparatus de-- scribed without in any way affecting or impairing the automatic ventilating system.

In Figures 9 and 10 elements similar to elements of Figures 7 and 8 are designated by similar numerals with the addition of 100. However additional devices and controls are provided as follows:

A motor 356 is provided to'drive an air pump 351 which serves to exhaust used air through the outlet stack 356. A bone shaped bag 364 porous to air but impervious to dust is provided in acasing 361 and serves to clean the incoming air. Spring held doors 356 and 369 are provided which prevent out flow of air but which allow air to be drawn into the cooler .344 and the heater 316 respectively. Spring held door 369 likewise allows air to flow into the room 312 from the well 302. The heater and cooler have fans driven by their motors 391 and 393 and these fans serve to direct the fresh air being supplied by the air pump l through the heater or throughthe cooler as desired when fresh air is being drawn in. Moreover when it is necessary to heat or cool the air in the enclosure but un-' moved up to contact the element 310 thus energizing the motor 329 for the intake pump 3M and which when the pressure is too high is moved down thus energizing the motor 356 for the outlet pump 351. It will be noted that the element 310 is connected by a wire 310 with the motor 356. It will also be noted that the motor 356 may be operated to exhaust used air when the oxygen content becomes too low, inasmuch as then the flame of the burner SIG will then be low and the thermostatic element 323-32l will form a circuit through the wire 322 to the motor 356. Pumps 3M and 351 are of the piston type and thus even when inoperative prevent the flow of air in the wrong direction.

Operation trol .the operation of coolers 43, I, 2 and 3 and of heaters I16, v216 and 3 16 and thus maintain proper temperatures. Moisture responsive switches H0, 210 and 3" control the spray valves )8, 208 and 308, and the air directing gates Ill, 2 and 3 and thus the proper humidity is maintained. Pressure responsive devices 246 and 346 control the operation of the pump 2M and of the pumps 3M and 351 to maintain the desired pressure in the enclosure. Cleaners such as IUI, 2M, 3M and 364-361 clean the air.

It is to be understood that the above described embodiments of my invention are for the purpose of illustration only and various changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scone of the invention.

I claim:

1. An enclosure having an outlet for the escape of air and gas, means for supplying fresh air into said enclosure, means dependent on the oxygen content of the air within the enclosure for controlling the supply of fresh air thereto and for closing and opening said outlet, said last named means including a flame.

2. In combination, a building, means for supplylng air rich in oxygen to said building, means selectively operative for cooling said air rich in oxygen, means dependent upon the temperature of the building for controlling said air cooling means, means for preventing the escape of air from the building, and means dependent upon the oxygen content of the air in the room for controlling the air supplying means and for controlling said means for preventing the escape of air from the room.

3. In combination, an enclosure, a blower for injecting air into said enclosure, a device for changing the temperature of the air, common means for driving said blower and for at times operating said temperature changing device,

means responsive to the oxygen content of the air in said enclosure for controlling said common means, and means responsive to the temperature 5. An enclosure having an outlet for the escape of air and gas, means for supplying fresh air into said enclosure, means dependent on the oxygen content of the air and gas for controlling the supply of fresh air thereto.

6. The method of maintaining a desired uni form oxygen content in the air in an enclosure which comprises exhausting air therefrom and simultaneously supplying air having an oxygen content greater than the uniform oxygen content desired to be maintained, and regulating the supply of air rich in oxygen in accordance with the extent to which the oxygen content in the air in the enclosure is belowthe desired uniform content.

'7. In combination, an enclosure, means for controlling the supply of fresh air into said enclosure, means for controlling the escape of air and gas,

and means dependent upon the oxygen content of.

the air within the enclosure for actuating a least one of said controlling means.

8. In combination, an enclosure, means for controlling the supply of fresh air into said enclosure, means for controlling the escape of air and gas, and means dependent upon the con- I stituents of the air within the enclosure for actuating at least one of said controlling means.

9. An enclosure having means ior controlling the escape of air and gas, means for controlling the supply of fresh air into said enclosure, and means comprising a flame dependent on the constituents of the air within the enclosure for actuating at least one of said controlling means.

10. In combination, an enclosure, means for supplying fresh air into said enclosure, means for changing the temperature of said supplied air, means for cleaning and humidifying said supplied air, and means dependent upon the constituents of the air within the enclosure for controlling the air supplying means.

11. In combination, an enclosure, means for supplying fresh air into said enclosure, and means dependent upon the oxygen content of the air within said enclosure for supplying additional oxygen thereto.

12. In combination, an enclosure, means for controlling the escape of air and gas, means dependent upon the constituents of the air within the enclosure for actuating said controlling means and means for automatically controlling the pressure of air within said enclosure.

13. In combination, an enclosure, an outlet *for the escape of air and gas, and means dependent upon the constituents of the air within said. enclosure for controlling said outlet.

14. In combination, an enclosure. means for controlling the supply of fresh air thereto, means dependent on the constituents of the air in said enclosure for actuating said controlling means, and means for automatically controlling the pressure of the air within said enclosure.

15. An enclosure having an outlet for the escape of air and gas, means for supplying fresh air into said enclosure, means within the enclosure dependent on the oxygen content of the air and gas for controlling the supply of fresh air thereto and means for controlling the temperature of said enclosure.

16. In combination, a building, means for supplying air rich in oxygen to said building, an escape for the air and gas within said building, and means for regulating the supply of air rich in oxygen in accordance with the oxygen content of the air in said building, and means for regulating the temperature of theair being supplied.

:mmunaaanus. 

